Alexandra Bridge replacement | Proposed

[Richard Eade]

It looks to me like the designers were given very strict list of limitations on what they could envision:

• There MUST BE a single bridge deck, divided into a pedestrian lane on the west side, a bidirectional cycle lane in the middle, and two vehicle lanes on the east side;
• there must be at least one ‘Gathering Place’ along the bridge, which must take the entire width of the bridge deck (for the one time a century that dinner is served on the bridge – because we all know that the NCC is useless at actually continually programming the presentation areas that they create);
• the supporting structure must be swooping curves; and
• there must be a description that tells how the design was Algonquin-Nation inspired.

I find it very disheartening to see this type of lack of imagination being presented as the best of what came forth.

I’m firmly in the ‘None of the above’ camp.

[rocketphish]

Design Concepts























https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/events/online-...cement-project

[rocketphish]

NCC reveals 3 options to replace Alexandra Bridge
Officials reject restoration of existing bridge, calling it a 'health and safety' issue

Arthur White-Crummey · CBC News
Posted: Oct 01, 2024 3:16 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago

The National Capital Commission (NCC) has unveiled three potential designs to replace the Alexandra Bridge, as officials say there's no going back on the planned demolition of the existing 123-year-old structure.

The concept designs — entitled Echo, Rendez vous and Motion — now go to public consultation, with an online survey launching Tuesday and open meetings scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is soon starting the procurement process to select a company to design and construct the new bridge, with a winning design expected early next year. Construction is expected to run from 2028 to 2032.

Each of the concept designs provides separate lanes for bicycles and vehicles, plus a pedestrian walkway with views of Parliament Hill.



Introducing the designs, architect Martin Knight said Echo is intended as a "reinterpretation" of the existing bridge, though not a replica.

"The Echo bridge concept draws inspiration from the historic Alexandra Bridge, combining heritage with modern design," he said.

Rendez vous is defined by two "grand arches meeting at a single pier in the river." Knight said the bridge appears to "step lightly" on the water, and amplifies views to provide a feeling of openness.



"The transparent arches enhance visual connection between previously separated areas on either side of the river," he said.

Finally, the design known as Motion is inspired by the flow of the Ottawa River and the rippling form of one of its native species.



"The motion design is a tribute to the dynamic, ever-changing motion of the river, inspired by the eel," he said. "The bridge's graceful form reflects the eel's motion."

Knight explained that each design has a gathering place, and the vehicular lanes can be closed to create even larger public spaces for special occasions.



Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette watched the design presentation and said her community has a strong attachment to the bridge. She said consultations will be essential and asked why the bridge must be replaced.

"I don't think it's something we should take for granted during the public consultation," she said in French.

But Stefan Dery, PSPC's director general of infrastructure asset management, said the government has ruled out saving the existing bridge.



"Fundamentally from our perspective, this is a health and safety issue," he later told reporters. "The state of the existing bridge is such that it has a finite life, it has reached the end of service, so we're not in a position to simply repair the bridge."

According to a PSPC report, the existing Alexandra Bridge is suffering from 17 different issues affecting its strength and integrity, including rust, cracks and buckling.

But critics have questioned those conclusions and pushed to save the bridge. The Alexandra Bridge Coalition has argued that converting it to a "green bridge" closed to motor vehicles could lengthen its life.

Josiah Frith, who handles the Alexandra Bridge file for the Lowertown Community Association also still believes the bridge can be saved. He said it would cost substantially less than building new.

"We love this bridge," he said. "We would like to see it preserved and restored, and we have always been asking for a fourth option to be put forth which is that restoration."



He sees the Echo concept as the only design that captures some elements of the historic structure.

Built by the Dominion Bridge Company of Lachine, Que and opened in 1901, the Alexandra Bridge is considered an engineering asset of national historic importance, according to PSPC.

The first open meeting, at Gatineau's Canadian Museum of History, is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The second, at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa, is slated for Thursday, Oct. 3, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.







https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottaw...idge-1.7339080

[vtecyo]

Really? No space set aside for transit? huh

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by vtecyo

Really? No space set aside for transit? huh

I don't think either Ottawa or Gatineau have identified any plans for mass transit on the bridge.

[DTcrawler]

Originally Posted by acottawa

I don't think either Ottawa or Gatineau have identified any plans for mass transit on the bridge.

So just preclude the idea for a bridge that we're going to use for the next century?

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by DTcrawler

So just preclude the idea for a bridge that we're going to use for the next century?

I am not sure what else they are supposed to do. They are not going to build a four lane bridge just in case STO or OCTranspo want to run significant numbers of buses. Any rail provision would require some sort of plan in terms of technology and orientation, which does not exist.

If the NCC were a more proactive organization you might expect a people mover connecting the two museums, but I don't see the NCC becoming more proactive in the next 100 years.

[Kitchissippi]

Maybe the bridge should designed so that the middle bike lanes can later be converted to rail and the pedestrian promenade made extra wide to accommodate the bike lanes being moved. This would actually result in a more symmetrical cross section.

[J.OT13]

The bridge will be designed to remove the car lanes and replace them with a tramway. My hope is that it never opens for cars and we get the tramway right off the bat, or at least only get buses initially.

• Video Link

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[VANRIDERFAN]

^^
I really hope that this is the case because there seems to be no issues currently with the bridge being closed to cars. No mass protest, no stories on the news, no announcement from the Mayor about getting cars back on Alexandria.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by acottawa

I don't think either Ottawa or Gatineau have identified any plans for mass transit on the bridge.

The cities' lack of current vision, ambition, or drive, is no reason to not future-proof.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

The cities' lack of current vision, ambition, or drive, is no reason to not future-proof.

It is though. The tram loop is still very much on the NCC's radar. Gatineau wants to complete phase 1 to Elgin first, but are very much open to the loop.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

It is though. The tram loop is still very much on the NCC's radar. Gatineau wants to complete phase 1 to Elgin first, but are very much open to the loop.

OK but how do any of these three designs support the "loop" nonsense?

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

OK but how do any of these three designs support the "loop" nonsense?

The deck for cars can be converted for transit. I'm not really sure what more you would want.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

The deck for cars can be converted for transit. I'm not really sure what more you would want.

Dedicated, exclusive running space for transit on day one.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

Dedicated, exclusive running space for transit on day one.

Not in the plans now. Things could change by the time construction starts.

For now, I'm satisfied that converting car lanes for transit is on the table. Sure I would prefer that the bridge never sees a single personal vehicle, but they won't be building this in a way that prevents that transit expansion from never happening.

[hwy418]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Not in the plans now. Things could change by the time construction starts.

For now, I'm satisfied that converting car lanes for transit is on the table. Sure I would prefer that the bridge never sees a single personal vehicle, but they won't be building this in a way that prevents that transit expansion from never happening.

IF and only IF they build a new interprovincial crossing at Kettle Island.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by hwy418

IF and only IF they build a new interprovincial crossing at Kettle Island.

Alexandra only carries about 10% of car traffic. It's been closed to cars for much of the last 10 years without causing any significant increase in traffic.

I'm all for Kettle as well to have an alternative to driving through Downtown and connect some important institutions on both side of the river (by transit), and of course removing truck traffic from Lower Town and Sandy Hill, but this new bridge could be built car free with or without Kettle.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

^^
I really hope that this is the case because there seems to be no issues currently with the bridge being closed to cars. No mass protest, no stories on the news, no announcement from the Mayor about getting cars back on Alexandria.

It only impacts Gatineau to Ottawa commuters so nobody in Ottawa cares and for political reasons Gatineau likes to pretend it doesn't care and it's up to the Feds to pay for something that benefits them. I guess if it was going to be a bike and pedestrian bridge they would voice views.

[DTcrawler]

If they could figure out a way to reallocate space just enough to create a third traffic lane, it could present some interesting opportunities:

- When the bridge opens, have one mixed-traffic lane in each direction and use the third lane as a dedicated transit lane that switches direction for AM/PM peak.

- If/when rail transit is to be incorporated into the bridge, take two traffic lanes and convert them into double-tracked rail. Keep the third lane as a reversible general traffic lane for AM/PM peak.